Football preview: Leto

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Leto has one of the smaller roster sizes in the county. Third-year head coach Matt Kitchie said he has about 25 players out for the team so far. In the past, this meant if a player got injured, there might not have been a player to replace him.

This year, Kitchie is trying something new. In an effort to improve depth and competition, Kitchie is requiring every player to play both offense and defense.

“I had to rethink what we were doing. I believe in training a kid to do what he does best,” Kitchie said. “This year we are cross training kids. Every kid has an offense position and defensive position. Out of necessity we have to cross train kids. We have created competition and the competition factor of it has helped push our players.”

Senior Damian Diaz has been a linebacker in the past, but this year he is learning wide receiver. He said it hasn’t been too bad trying to learn a brand new position.

“It is very easy with a good coach,” Diaz said. “You learn really quick.”

SUPPLY

Different looks

While Leto might not have as many different plays to run as some other teams, Kitchie said his team is trying to focus on some key ones and use them in different situations.

“We will have multiple formations. Something that makes the other team uncomfortable,” Kitchie said. “We are getting good at a few things and doing them out of different formations.”

Teamwork

Some teams might rely on a star player or two to lead them. Kitchie said the Falcons aren’t looking to rely on just one player, but instead to get every individual player to do their part.

“We don’t have that guy (that we will rely on). We have a bunch of kids playing together,” Kitchie said. “It is a collective effort.”

One of the advantages of a smaller roster is that everyone on the team gets to know each other well. Diaz said it is a family-like atmosphere.

“We are such a tight-knit group. We tell each other what we think will help each other out,” senior Damian Diaz said. “We are always hanging out with each other outside of football.”

DEMAND

Change the culture

The reality is Leto has not won a game on the field since 2009 (they have been awarded victories after the fact due to forfeits). So while some teams have their sights set on a district title, or even a state title, all Leto is looking for in one win.

“(One win) would change the culture at Leto. It would change everyone’s mindset,” Diaz said. “If we could get that one win it would change the whole school. It would let me know we can do it. We can win games too.”

While Leto is in the so called “District Of Death” with Armwood, Hillsborough, Jefferson and Robinson, they do have some winnable games on their schedule. Even after years of losing, Kitchie said he hasn’t seen any quit in his team.

“They continue to come every day. They want to turn Leto around,” Kitchie said. “I think we are close. The kids are believing in us.”